HOOSICK FALLS >> The Hoosick Falls Armory will host a fundraiser to benefit Hathaway’s Drive-In Theatre, a North Hoosick institution since 1948.

The drive-in for years has faced the possibility of closing due to the extensive costs of switching from a film-based to a digital system, which owner Duane Greenawalt estimated in 2012 would cost about $70,000. Greenawalt said in August that the theater would likely close without community support.

The community will have a chance to support the theater at “A Night at the Brewvies,” which will take place at the Armory on March 1, with all monies raised going toward purchasing the necessary equipment. Hathaway’s is required to make the change, as Hollywood studios are beginning to release films as exclusively in digital format.

According to a press release from the Hoosick Armory Youth Center and Community Coalition (HAYC3), who are hosting the event, “Without the new technology, Hathaway’s will not be able to feature new releases, and is at risk of closing.”

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The two-part event will begin at 6 p.m. with a V.I.P. Brown’s Brewery beer tasting and food pairing in the Owl’s Nest at the Armory. Some of the highlighted beer and food pairings include Brown’s Oatmeal Stout and figs, soft cheese olives, and crostini, Brown’s Cream Ale and Hoosick Hickory’s pulled pork, and Brown’s Porter and chocolate, along with three other pairings. Tickets are $50, and must be purchased in advance for this limited-seating event.

Part two will take place at 7 p.m. in the Perry Room on the main floor of the Armory, which will be transformed into a three-screen cinema, which will feature three food and movie pairings. Weeb’s Fish Fry’s Seafood Chowder will be served at the first station, sliders from Jean’s Place will be served at the second, and whoopie pies from Bagels and Brews will be served at the third. Each food station will be paired with a similarly themed movie, according to Deborah Alter, of HAYC3. Brown’s will have a cash bar at this event.

Billy Gilbert, the blues guitarist from Stephentown, N.Y. who has performed with several local acts, including “Billy G and the Blue Zone,” and has opened for the likes of the James Montgomery Band and the Ernie Williams Band, will perform throughout the evening.

The staff of Hathaway’s will also be on hand selling glow-in-the-dark T-shirts, cotton candy, and speakers from the drive-in’s old field speakers, which will be incompatible with the new digital technology. Greenawalt began selling the speakers in Sept. 2012, and said at the time that the drive-in had a lot of speakers and, “If we sold all our speakers, I’d be set.”

You can purchase speakers online ($51.50 for a single speaker or $159 for a pair with a junction box), and anyone who does so will have their name added to a thank-you list that will run before each night’s movie.

Tickets for the second part of the fundraiser are $20, and can be purchased on the day of the event. They include a serving from each of the three food stations. Both events are for adults 21 years of age or older. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact HAYC3 at 518-686-9050 or by email at contacthayc3@gmail.com.